Programme content
In Liège, the Master in Geography : climatology is oriented on the "Global Change" (Climatology - Surface Process - Human Dimension), this is why this terminology is included in the description of the master.
The master consists of a common core and a specialization part. The common core includes various skill-oriented courses, as well as a set of relevant introductory courses focusing on the three key di-mensions of global change: climate, earth-surface processes and human dimensions.
In the specialization part, students can further develop their skill and knowledge along their own interests. For this, a wide range of courses is offered, focusing on three central and interdependent themes of global change:
- (1) climate change at local and global scales
- (2) impacts of global envi-ronmental changes on the landscape, natural hazards and other earth-surface processes;
- and (3) human dimensions of global change.
The specialization in Climatology starts with a basic training focusing on climate modeling, the computer skills required for such modelling, climate-serie analysis, and using remote sensing data for climatic applications. During the specialization, the students will receive a solid training in meteorol-ogy, regional climate and vegetation modeling and oceanography and includes an internship at Me-teoWing (the weather forecast service of the Belgian defence forces). Both applied climatolo-gy/meteorology (agro-meteorology, weather forecast ...) and fundamental climatology (study of the polar regions, greenhouse gasses, climate model development ...) are addressed.
The specialization in Geomorphology and Environmental Hazards starts with the acquisition of the necessary skills in GIS and spatial analysis, modelling earth-surface processes, and laboratory anal-yses techniques. This is done through a range of courses, excursions and field projects (in Belgium and abroad). The specialization focuses on understanding, predicting and mitigating environmental hazards (including, landslides, floods and land/soil degradation) at various spatial and temporal scales and is supplemented with a relevant internship. Depending on the interest of the student, this internship can focus on fieldwork or GIS and modelling applications.
The specialization in Human Dimension of Global Change focuses on the geopolitical aspects of environmental changes: the impacts of global change on migration and public health, climate negotiations and diplomacy, the environment-security nexus, etc. It is supplemented with an internship in an international organization, a think-tank, NGO, or a research center.
Each specialization also includes a research thesis where students will develop a personal research project. This work will be conducted in close collaboration with an active researcher as supervisor and includes opportunities to conduct terrain work overseas.
Depending on your interest and prior training, two versions of this master can be followed: a master in 2 years (120 ECTS) for students having a relevant bachelor degree, and a master in one year (60 to 75 ECTS) for students already having a relevant master training). All courses of the one-year ver-sion are offered in English.
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Added value
Pourquoi la géographie à L'ULiège ?
La géographie à l'ULiège, c'est :
- une discipline abordant aussi bien les aspects théoriques qu'appliqués ;
- plusieurs domaines d'expertises uniques en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles ;
- un environnement de recherche et d'enseignement international (nombreux Erasmus, stages à l'étranger...) ;
- des infrastructures à la pointe de la technologie : laboratoires de haut niveau (hydrographie et géomorphologie fluviale, climatologie et topoclimatologie...), équipements de mesure professionelles (scanner-laser, GPS haute précision...)
- ...
Elle se décline en 4 domaines :
- la géographie physique, y compris la climatologie,
- la géographie économique et sociale,
- la géomatique et la géométrologie,
- la didactique de la géographie.
En géographie physique, les domaines de compétence sont spécialement la géomorphologie, l'hydrologie et la climatologie. Les travaux de recherche portent non seulement sur les territoires de l'Europe du Nord-Ouest, les régions polaires (fonte des glaces) mais aussi de plus en plus sur les pays en développement (Afrique, Amérique latine, Asie du Sud-Est).
En géographie économique et sociale, les domaines de compétence sont le développement territorial, la localisation des activités économiques et l'étude des paysages. Cette expertise scientifique a permis d'étudier la faisabilité de nombreux projets d'aménagement et de développement de territoires tant privés que publics.
En géomatique-géométrologie, l'Université de Liège s'affirme chaque jour davantage comme un centre de référence, unique en Belgique francophone. Les domaines de compétences relèvent des méthodes d'acquisition de données spatiales (GNSS, topométrie, télédétection...) et de gestion et de traitement de l'information géographique (SIG, analyses spatiales).
Enfin, la didactique de la géographie est aussi devenue un pôle de recherche et de formation de plus en plus reconnu à l'échelle internationale pour ses productions pédagogiques (traités, manuels, dossiers, atlas) et le développement de nouveaux outils multimédias.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the Master's in Geographical Sciences, the student will be able to:
- Master the specialised theoretical and practical knowledge resulting from the fundamental and applied research in the concentration that they have chosen
- Understand, evaluate and model the functioning of a complex geographical system through observation, formulation of assumptions and the acquisition and spatial analysis of geographical data
- Solve problems connected to new and complex situations in the professional fields associated with the concentration that they have chosen
- Autonomously set up a research project culminating in a written report and its oral defence
- Autonomously design, manage and evaluate professional projects. Teach classes at the secondary and tertiary education levels.
Values
Scientific rigour, autonomy, creativity, team work.